Sermons on Surface:

Pearl Of Great Price Series

Contributed by Eric Carey-Holt on Feb 12, 2003

IS THIS FOR YOU He had it all, at least on the surface. He had good business, a fine family, status in the community, he had everything it would appear, but not quite enough. Some men craved after gold or silver or jewels not this man those things were a

PEARL OF GREAT PRICE—Matt 13:45-46 TEXT "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. INTRODUCTION In The Parable Of The Hidden Treasure, I suggested that Jesus was depicting the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:45-46, Acts 8:26-38

Denomination: Methodist

Knowing Our Neighbors Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jun 14, 2009

On the surface the Parable of the Good Samaritan appears to be a simple story about being kind. It’s actually much deeper than that. This story is designed to show each of us how sinful and selfish we really are and that our only hope of going to heaven

Knowing Our Neighbors Luke 10:25-37 Rev. Brian Bill 6/14/09 The story of the Good Samaritan is one of the most well-known parables of Jesus. There are hospitals named after him and his name has become an idiom for unusual kindness and extraordinary care for the hurting. The “Good Sam RV Club” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

How To Become Wise Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Sep 29, 2008

Jesus went to the temple & called people to make serious, studied judgments, & not simply snap decisions based on surface appearance. He points out if anyone is really earnest he can know whether Jesus’ teaching is of divine origin or not, by commiting t

JOHN 7: 14-18 HOW TO BECOME WISE Have you ever heard of the great con-man Frank Abagnale? His story has been told on the movie screen by Leanardo Caprio and Tom Hanks in the movie “Catch me if you can.” Catch Me if You Can was inspired by the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., the youngest ...read more

Scripture: John 7:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

Tempted

Contributed by James Jerpseth on Mar 3, 2001

Having grown up in hte desert, I know how harsh the place is and how tempting the options presented by hte devil really are. On the surface the temptations seem harmless and perhaps even good in the right hands but they all take our attention off God.

I grew up going to the desert, and thought that I knew what the desert lands are all about. I’ve been camping many times in the Anza Berrego wilderness and understand that the desert is a harsh and foreboding place. I know to stay on the trails, look for snakes and take lots of extra water. I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

"Mary's Christmas"

Contributed by David Henderson on Dec 29, 2014

When we look back at the life of Mary I see 2 extreme points of view that have surfaced. 1. Many believers have chosen to worship Mary. 2. Others have chosen to completely ignore Mary. The scripture does not support either approach.

Mary’s Christmas Luke 1:26-38 Most of us recognize that Christmas can actually be one of the most stressful times of the year. For pastors and their families things do not usually slow down—instead things just get busier. For many in the church and community there are those feeling ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Consider The Heavens

Contributed by Randy Marshall on Jul 20, 2019

Recently, the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 and the words heard from the surface of the moon, "that's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." On the journey, there were also two significant spiritual events.

On July 23rd as the three astronauts hurled back toward earth. On the last night before their splashdown, they participated in a televised broadcast. The second man to step on the moon, Buzz Aldrin commented: “This has been far more than three men on a mission to the Moon; more, still, than the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:3-4

Step Six - Separating The Men From The Boys Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Jan 8, 2020

The fifth step is a building block to the sixth step. It is not a separate event. The fifth step focuses on cleaning house but it is also about bringing our character defects to the surface so we can see the thousands of ways we have attempted to manipulate the world around us.

The fifth step is a building block to the sixth step. It is not a separate event. The fifth step focuses on cleaning house but it is also about bringing our character defects – selfishness, self centeredness, low self esteem and big egos – to the surface so we can see the thousands of ways we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Final Hours Of The Lord Jesus -From Golgotha To The Grave (For Now) Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 19, 2021

The Lord Jesus is in His last moments of agony and pain, both physically and spiritually as He completes His mission of redemption for fallen humanity. It looked on the surface, however, like a victory for his enemies and the devil as He died and was placed in a borrowed tomb, or so it would seem.

(Adapted from an outline by Mark A. Copeland) Following a night and morning of torture, ridicule, and mockery, Jesus was taken away to be crucified (Mark 14:53-15:25). For six long, horrendous, cruel hours He hung on the cross, and to add insult to injury, He heard the continuing mockery ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-47, Luke 23:46, Matthew 27:50, Hebrews 10:19-20, 1 Peter 2:21-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Whitewashed Tomb Christians Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 10, 2025

This metaphor reveals the contrast between outward appearances and inner reality, exposing the hypocrisy that plagues many who claim to follow God.

In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus unleashes a scathing critique on the Pharisees, calling them "whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness." This metaphor reveals the contrast between outward appearances and inner reality, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-28, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

8 Highly Practical Prayers To Pray Over Your Leader Series

Contributed by Earma Brown on May 8, 2006

It’s hard to imagine the darkness that won’t be held back if we don’t pray or the good that will not come because we haven’t prayed. The list below is not a comprehensive list of prayers. We have only scratched the surface with what can and should be pray

Our pastors and leaders are gifts to the body of Christ and as a result serve on the frontlines of the battle of faith. Saturday night can be one of the toughest times on the frontlines for a pastor. Any night before he feeds the sheep can be stressful. Why? Because the pastor’s number one enemy ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

These Are The Days Of Elijah – "Days Like These Require A Sustained Effort”

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jun 22, 2021

During Elisha’s ministry, the Jordan River parted instantly, poisoned waters were healed, the borrowed iron ax head flowed to the surface, dead children had been raised to life, but the miracle Israel needed now would be difficult. This miracle will require a sustained effort.

What a great blessing Elisha had been to the nation of Israel. He faithfully used his God given double portion for the benefit of others. Israel was facing another persistent enemy, the Syrians. Prophet Elisha is on his death bed, over 80 years old in a weakened condition, yet God’s people are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 13:14-19, Psalm 119:89-91, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Galatians 6:7-10

Denomination: Methodist

Don't Blame Me! Series

Contributed by West Garner on Aug 31, 2007

There are signs written not on metal or plastic but on the very surface of our culture. If we observe them we can learn a great deal about the age in which we live. The third sign in our series says, Don’t Blame Me! Our culture is obessed by placing bla

INTRODUCTION Welcome to Memorial!!! I have with me today a pointer. I am going to use it today because I have always thought it was cool when the teacher would point to things on the board. You know a pointer is interesting because when the teacher wants you to look at something she directs your ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 5:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

When You've Lost Your Cutting Edge

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 4, 2007

We are quick to ‘fly off the handle’. But God has a way of sharpening dull Christians…and good things ‘surface’ when we return to where we lost our cutting edge and reclaim it! Link included to formatted text, audio & video, & PowerPoint Presentation.

When You’ve Lost Your Cutting Edge II Kings 6:1-7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/CuttingEdge.html We are so quick to ‘fly off the handle’ these days. But God has a way of sharpening dull Christians…and good things will ‘surface’ if we will return to where we lost our cutting edge and reach out ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Help Me Overcome My Unbelief (Imperfect Faith)

Contributed by Maria Saunders on Sep 4, 2015

As humans it's natural to with struggle, doubt, question, wonder about God’s presence & promises at various times. It's difficult to maintain faith in a Perfect God when warfare surfaces. Yet, we must have faith in God when imperfection is all around us.

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.’” Mark 9:24 NIV “No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, ‘Then I believe. Help me with my doubts.’” Mark 9:24 MSG The theme of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Baptist

"it's Not Fair!" (Part Four)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jun 10, 2019

The scenarios we've been looking at over the past few weeks seem unfair on the surface but when we examined them we realized that God was not being unfair. As we close out the series, we'll look at Jesus' parable of the workers in the vineyard.

"IT'S NOT FAIR!" (part four) We looked at Adam and Eve getting kicked out of the garden for one act of disobedience. We looked at the story of Job losing everything despite being upright and blameless. We saw how the prophet suffered death even though he was tricked by a lying ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16, Jonah 4:1-4, Luke 17:7-10, Deuteronomy 32:3-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ